Mimi/Buddy/Rover/Benjamin/Timothy

A tortoiseshell cat raced through the alleys, turning several corners to reach the Shadow Lurkers' territory. She sat down and twitched her tail, trying to catch her breath.

Suddenly, Buddy hissed and raced around the corner to see Mimi. She stepped closer, almost not believing it. "Is that really you?" She asked.

"If you mean me, then yes, it is really me." She said, then pounced on her sister. "It's good to see you again, Buddy!" She exclaimed.

Soon, they were accompanied by a hamster and two Guinea pigs. "Mimi!" Rover cried, skittering to her old friend. "I haven't seen you in forever!"

The Guinea pig brothers looked around, observing their surroundings. "Here!" Benjamin said, standing by a trash can.

Mimi smiled and walked to the trash can, jumping up on top of it. She yowled when it tipped over, leaving her on the ground.

"Lettuce!" Timothy yelled, pulling out a plastic tray with a salad on it.

Rover fed on the carrots, Mimi and Buddy ate the strips of chicken, and the Guinea pigs ate the lettuce.

Palima

From a high lookout point, a large Eagle was watching the group. On the top of an outside staircase to a rundown warehouse, the bird of prey sat silently, feathers ruffled in the slight breeze that rippled through the alleys. With narrowed eyes, Palima stood sentry-like over the reunion, wondering why rodents and felines were so happy to see each other when they should have been either hunting or being hunted. Cocking her black and white head, the African Hawk Eagle spread her large wings and swooped downward, landing on a pile of rubble and other objects as she addressed the intruders. "What is your business here, small creatures? You are in the lands of the Shadow Haunter and would be easy prey for such a pack."

Mimi/Buddy/Rover/Benjamin/Timothy

Buddy jumped when she saw the eagle. It appeared as if Palima could eat all of them if she wanted to.

But Mimi was the one to step forward, the brave leader. "Bird, we only are scavenging the waste from these trash cans." She said softly. "We are loners and find it hard to live in such a cruel place, especially with the monsters at the Ruins trying to control the Valley. All we need is food, and please let us roam here freely. We will bring no harm to you or your family if you bring none to ours."

Rover scurried to Palima, standing on our hind legs. "We do not have a sense of safety out in the middle of nowhere. This is safe, and surely you would want to protect the Valley that you live in. In return, we will help you fight your battles as best as we can." She offered. Being only a hamster, she was quite small and not very strong. But she was oh so sly.

The Guinea Pig Brothers were scared stiff at the sight of the bird, along with Buddy.

Palima

With an indifferent stare, the eagle nodded. "You shall be allowed to stay here. As long as you respect the Shadow Lurkers. I shall leave you in peace." Taking off, Palima circled the area once, before flying to a different part of the alleys.